An Internal Race—Riding the Tour Divide with Quinda Verheul

After all the training, preparation, planning, and traveling, how did expectations heading into the Tour Divide compare to the reality of actually riding it?
 

I prepared more than I usually would for a race. Structured training, carefully thought-out gear choices, even a loose day-by-day plan. I really wanted to see if I was capable of more than just being “pretty okay” on a bike. I wanted to find out if I could be more than just the “artist who rides bikes.” In that sense, I came in with ambition.
Surprisingly, I expected to be more overwhelmed by the scenery, but in reality, a lot of it felt quite monotonous, especially compared to the mental and emotional intensity the route demands.

What were some particular highlights and lowlights from your time crossing the United States?
 

The kindness of people was an absolute highlight. It’s wild how normal it is to request something like food left in a motel room or a late arrival and have it met with a smile. Dotwatchers were incredible too, leaving out coolers filled with water, lemonade, ice cream, and even sandwiches made with real care.
I also loved the wildlife, so many animals I’d never seen before and might not see again.
Lowlights? The emotional weight was heavier than I expected, and sometimes that dulled the beauty around me.

Geographically speaking, what stood out? Culturally?  

Towards the end of the Great Basin, I saw these striking, colorful sandstone hills. Really beautiful. Rolling into Colorado during sunset was unforgettable too. Warm colors, a flowing river, and a kind of cinematic calm.Culturally, the further south we went, the better the Mexican food got. I started hoarding burritos—real homemade ones. They became little edible highlights of my day.

You had originally planned to take on the Triple Crown (Tour Divide, Colorado Trail and Arizona Trail), but with fires closing parts of the Arizona Trail, you had to pivot. How do you feel about that? 

Racing in the U.S. is expensive, and I had just over a month to figure out how to get to Colorado. Possible on paper, but a stretch in reality. I wanted to be sure that if I made the effort, I’d also get to ride the Arizona Trail.
But with the Dragon Fire closing part of the trail (and still burning), it didn’t feel right to hope it would open just so I could benefit. The land needs time to heal, and the part that’s closed, though only 3 percent, includes the actual finish. That matters.
So I shifted focus. I’m staying closer to home for the rest of the year and leaning into things that feel meaningful after the Divide.

How are you recovering now that you’re back home—and what did you miss the most while you were away? 

I really missed cooking healthy meals with loads of vegetables and fruit, and my own bed.I overdid my first workout and upset my knees, so now I’m easing back in slowly and carefully. But I’m genuinely excited to explore my own backyard here in Italy. The Dolomites are snow-free, and there’s so much I haven’t seen yet.